Jonathan Hofmann

Ph.D., M.P.H.

NCI

Investigator

PLCO (Learn more about this study)

PLCO-355

Mar 16, 2018

Evaluating circulating immunologic markers in the development of multiple myeloma

Severe immune dysregulation is a strong risk factor for multiple myeloma (MM), and experimental studies have implicated chemokines and pro-angiogenic cytokines in MM pathogenesis. We are investigating whether selected circulating immunologic markers are associated with progression from the precursor condition monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) to MM in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial (EEMS study 2010-145). Specifically, we will conduct analyses to determine if incorporating immune marker measurements can be used to improve existing risk prediction models accounting for established factors.

To accomplish this, we are requesting data on selected demographic and other characteristics of all participants from the screening arm of PLCO, including those with MGUS and MM included in our EEMS study. These data will be used to assign sampling weights for weighted Cox regression models to predict the likelihood of progression from MGUS to MM. We will assess improvements in risk prediction for individual markers as well as a composite marker score based on multiple logistic regression and validated with 5-fold cross-validation (Harrell, 2001) as was previously done to develop an inflammation score that predicts lung cancer risk (Shiels et al, 2015).